ANGER OF BKES. 417 



can open it and allow the robbers to go home, and then put 

 in a small piece of musk ;: ihe entrance next day may 

 be kept so contracted that only a single bee can pass at 

 once. 



In the union of stocks, musk might be used advantageously. 

 A short time before the process is attempted, each colony 

 might receive a small dose tied up in a little bag, and they 

 would then be sure to agree. I prefer, however, in most 

 cases, the use of scented sugar-water. 



From some recent experiments, I am persuaded that bees 

 can often recognize strangers, by their actions, even when 

 they have the same scent ! It is well known that bees when 

 frightened have a certain cowed look, and shrink into the 

 smallest possible compass. In the attempt to unite stocks, 

 where the bees of one colony are left on their own stand, 

 and the others are suddenly introduced, the latter, (even 

 ■when both have the same smell,) are sometimes so fright- 

 ened, that they are at once discovered to be strangers, and 

 instantly killed. This may be prevented by removing both 

 colonies, during the operation, to a new stand, and shaking 

 them all out together upon a sheet, so that one colony may 

 have no advantage over the other. 



By using my double hives, and putting a small piece of 

 gauze- wire in the partition, the two colonies having the same 

 scent will always agree; this will be very convenient where 

 they are compelled to live as such near neighbors, and en- 

 ables the Apiarian at any time to unite them, and appropri- 

 ate their surplus stores. These double hives are admirably 

 adapted to the wants of those who prefer the smallest pos- 

 sible departure from the old system, as they need make no 

 change, except to unite the stocks in the Fall, instead of 

 killing the bees. 



I have already remarked that nothing should ever be done, 



